Amtrack CEO Questioned By NJ Lawmakers On Rail Delays

Details expected in couple weeks on how projects will affect train schedules.

Amtrak CEO Wick Moorman at legislative committee hearing

New Jersey lawmakers grilled the head of Amtrak about recent disruptions in rail service and the planned acceleration of projects to replace some tracks.

Senator Bob Gordon questioned Amtrak CEO Wick Moorman on how the work will affect commuters.

"How many tracks are going to be shut down? What does that mean in terms of commuter delays?"

"We can't answer your question until we have gone over that plan with New Jersey Transit and Long Island Railroad and what they would prefer to see in order to minimize the impact to their passengers.”

Moorman anticipates two or three significant disruptions during the summer.

Details are expected in a couple of weeks on how the work will affect rail schedules.

Moorman agrees with lawmakers that constructing a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River is the long-term solution but there’s no money for the Gateway project in President Trump’s budget plan.

“There still is going to be independent of the budget an infrastructure program and that’s where the Gateway program would fit in anyway. So it’s a long process. We’ll see. We together need to continue to make the case that it’s absolutely critical.”